[Long-term outcome of Putti-Platt operation in recurrent traumatic ventral shoulder dislocations]

In the present study, we reviewed 25 patients who had been treated by Putti-Platt procedure for recurrent traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations between 1988 and 1991. The average follow up time was 6.8 years. Redislocations occurred in nine cases (36%), five of these patients had to undergo a second shoulder reconstruction. Clinical examination with exclusion of the reoperated patients revealed signs of instability in further six patients. Six patients showed decreases in external rotation of more than 40 degrees compared with the nonoperated shoulder. According to the Rowe-score, results were judged as excellent or good only in 55% while they had to be estimated as poor in 30%. At follow up, 13 patients still suffered from limitations in their shoulder functions, only six out of 15 patients were able to return to their sporting activities postoperatively. Thus, the Putti-Platt procedure revealed rather disappointing long-term results and cannot be recommended.